now that the rain has dried

Diaries of an amateur shop owner.. All I seem to know how to make now is scarves. Not to say that that's a bad thing necessarily, at least I'll have a good variety. However, I feel like making the same thing over and over is limiting my creativity though each one is made differently. After I make it through this holiday season I'll be able to come back next year with some new, creative holiday and winter ideas for my shop. As for this season, I feel like I started my preparations a little late to successfully promote myself as a "one stop holiday shop." Christmas is right around the corner and I still have so many presents to make on top of coming up with new winter listings, but I'm more excited than worried.

I think today I'll paint for a while. Get my hands dirty and test out my abilities.

finds

I hope y'all are having a good weekend, I definitely am. I found some awesome stuff at a neighbors garage sale, had some adventures and an all around great time in Ojai. For the three plus years that I've lived here this was the first time that I've ever gone garage-saling, but being right across the street from my house I decided to wander over and check things out. I remember always finding a bunch of crap and occasionally one cool thing at garage sales when I was younger, but I've opened my mind and broadened my horizons since then and I can now definitely agree that one girls trash is another girls treasure. We all get tired of our little possessions after a while, even some of the things that used to be our favorites - I love garage sales and thrift stores because they give a chance for something that was once loved to be loved again rather than sitting around collecting dust. I know I will constantly be recycling through things as long as I live, donating the old and finding other peoples old treasures, and hey, it's cheaper too! I got six new things for 9$, definitely scored.

Perfectly hand-knit sweater / blazer, in love and for only two dollars.

I finally have a couple of real wine glasses!

The origin of this necklace was unknown but those are some gorgeous hand-carved beads, I'm thinking they might be African?

This is the coolest nightlight I've ever seen.

with love,

neena noel 

beautiful skies

Working on tons of new jewelry, morning coffee, the great outdoors (of my backyard) and the beautiful sky. I'm loving sitting at home and working on new items for my shop, but my need for travel is pounding in the back of my head. I'd love to get out and see a foreign city or some of natures amazing phenomenons. But until I get the chance to go somewhere I've never been I'll be sitting on a chair in my backyard crocheting away happy as ever.

with love,

neena noel

for september

Septembers almost here, and thankfully I've gotten a few new things up in my shop recently. I've also been working on more stuff that I haven't listed on Etsy yet. I have a bunch of supplies coming in the mail that I cannot wait to open up and start using. For those of you who love jewelry be expecting lots of chain, coral, turquoise and tribal beads and hopefully some warm crocheted hats, scarves and clothes too.

new url

Heey there! So, I had to make a new blog with a new url because my old one was broken and wouldn't allow followers. However, I imported all the blog posts from my old blog so it's like nothing ever changed! I am now www.noelebelle.blogspot.com and I can now have followers, so follow me!

As far as the business goes, it's pretty slow since summer's ending and I mostly only have bikini tops, but I recently did a giveaway through A Little Etsy Love, which is always featuring giveaways and the best stuff on Etsy! Now that that's all done I'll get to work on some new stuff for fall and winter to put up in my shop and get back on the market.

with love,

neena noel

new

The first of my upcycling projects. I've hand-dyed some old jeans and have a couple more ideas in mind for more recreated products. I had so much fun making these, I've already pulled out a bag of old clothes to dye and make into something new. I also photographed my dying process for those who wish to make similar shorts, check it out. Plus, I'll be posting a preview of some of the jewelry I've been making in the next few days, which I'll put up for sale as soon as I get the proper shipping supplies to mail them out. I hope to have a variety of different types of clothing and accessories by the end of the year, but for now check out these new shorts! >>For sale here<<

with love,

neena noel

sunsets and short shorts

I've had bottles and boxes of fabric dye and old pairs of thrifted project jeans sitting in my closet for ages waiting to be used. Though I procrastinated my way through this project I finally finished (I think) a few pairs of upcycled shorts. I love the way the dip-dyed shorts came out and I have another pair that I plan on sewing some lace onto. Though I consider the dyed shorts to be done I might still add onto them just for fun, maybe embroider or paint a sun onto a back pocket? Once I decide whether or not I'm finished I'll most likely put these shorts up in my shop, but for now I'll post some pictures of the creating process for those of you who are interested:

Cut off the Mom Jeans into some high-waisted and low rise shorties

Let 'em soak in a tub of bleach and water

Took this pair out early just to make them look a little washed out and faded

Done bleaching

Time for dye

Dyed both bleached pairs with the lightest color first, lemon yellow

Lastly, dip-dyed the rest with scarlet, both for different lengths of time

with love,

neena noel

summer colors

A much needed post - We all like to wear our favorite colors and the colors that compliment ourselves. Customers are always asking me for a list of colors that I have available to make my products in. My color supply is constantly changing, but my suppliers generally always have the same colors. I've photographed some of my favorite colors for the season from browns to blues. I currently have all of the choices photographed in stock as well as some others, and most of my colors are available for me to get quickly and make into a finished product. My choices are definitely not limited to the colors that I have posted! I can make made to order tops in almost any shade, however, some colors may have to be ordered online which can add a few extra days onto the creation of my finished products. If you'd like to request a specific color or a color that you don't see in my shop, please contact me first considering I may have to special order my supplies online.

From top to bottom - Pale Turquoise, Taupe, Coral

Naturals - Brown and Taupe

Front - Sonoma Print, Back - Tea Rose

Top - Pale Turquoise, Bottom Left - Light Blue, Bottom Right - Bright Blue

Sunshine colors from left to right - Deep Red, Coral, Pale Yellow

with love,

neena noel

behind the scenes

All (well, most of) the elements that go into the products I create. My room is my studio for now, but I hope to someday have my own personal studio for all of my supplies. (I'm running out of space in my room!) One of my favorite things to do is organize and beautify my supplies and my workspace, and I cannot wait to have a studio to organize. Here is a little peek at my current crafters sanctuary, and though it may be a little cluttered at times, it's my clutter and I love it.

with love,

neena noel